What a rollercoaster of a match at the Spotify Camp Nou! On a day meant for celebrating the club's 126th anniversary, Barcelona gave their fans a real scare before pulling off a gritty 3-1 comeback win against a brave Deportivo Alavés. It was a game that had everything: a shocking early goal, moments of individual brilliance, a season-defining save, and a late surge that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. This wasn't pretty, but it was a vital three points that sees Barça temporarily leapfrog to the top of the league.
Key Highlights
- ✓ FC Barcelona staged a comeback to defeat Alavés 3-1 after conceding a goal in the first minute.
- ✓ Raphinha, in his first start back, was instrumental, providing the assists for the first two Barça goals.
- ✓ Dani Olmo scored a crucial brace, including the goal that sealed the victory in stoppage time.
- ✓ Goalkeeper Joan García made a phenomenal, match-defining save to prevent Alavés from taking a 2-1 lead.
- ✓ The win propelled Barça to the top of the LaLiga table provisionally, putting pressure on Real Madrid.
A Disastrous Start at Camp Nou
Honestly, you couldn't have scripted a worse start for Barça. The celebratory mood from the pre-match mosaic was shattered in just 60 seconds. A corner kick for Alavés, a flick-on at the near post by Parada, and there was Pablo Ibáñez to tap it in. The goal stood as Casadó was just playing him onside. It was a classic set-piece goal, something Alavés are known for—a staggering eight of their twelve goals this season have come from dead-ball situations.
Before the home side could even process what had happened, Alavés nearly made it 2-0. A lightning-fast counter-attack saw Rebbach break into the box, but his shot thankfully fizzed just wide of the post. For a few minutes there, it felt like the wheels were about to come off. The team looked rattled, and the pressure was immediately on Hansi Flick, who was already dealing with a shuffled lineup due to some last-minute absences.
Raphinha's Return Sparks the Revival
When your team is down and searching for a hero, you look to your difference-makers. And today, that man was Raphinha. Making his first start in over two months, the Brazilian showed exactly what Barça had been missing. His energy, directness, and willingness to attack space were a breath of fresh air. Within ten minutes of that disastrous opening, he made his mark.
It was a classic Raphinha move. He drove to the byline, looked up, and cut a perfect pass back for Lamine Yamal. The young star didn't hesitate, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike that flew past a helpless Sivera to make it 1-1. Just like that, the Camp Nou could breathe again. Raphinha was everywhere, accounting for a massive 41.4% of Barcelona's attacks while he was on the pitch, proving how crucial his aggressive play is to this team.
He later admitted he's still working his way back to full fitness, saying, "I'm trying to find my best version physically. I'm not yet fit for 90 minutes." But his impact was undeniable, and his philosophy on defending from the front was clear. "The best defense starts in the attack," he said, and he led that charge by relentlessly pressing Alavés, making life difficult for their defenders.
The Save That Changed Everything
Every crucial win has a turning point, a single moment where the game hangs in the balance. For Barcelona, that moment arrived in the 24th minute, and it came from their goalkeeper, Joan García. Alavés crafted a beautiful move where a pass found Jonny Otto at the back post for what looked like a certain goal. His point-blank shot was destined for the net.
But somehow, Joan García produced a save for the ages. Already on the ground, he instinctively threw up a hand and managed to block the shot. It was a "brutal" intervention, an absolutely mind-blowing piece of goalkeeping that kept the score level. That save was worth its weight in gold because, less than a minute later, Barça went down the other end and scored. The game swung from a potential 1-2 deficit to a 2-1 lead in a flash.
Olmo and Yamal Seal the Deal
Riding the wave of momentum from that incredible save, Barcelona pounced. Once again, it was Raphinha who was the architect. He delivered another brilliant pass back from near the goal line, and this time it was Dani Olmo who met it with an exquisite first-time finish, slotting the ball low past Sivera. The Camp Nou erupted as Barça took the lead for the first time.
Lamine Yamal was a constant threat throughout the game. He nearly scored a wonder goal after a slick piece of skill to beat the keeper, only to see his shot cannon back off the post. Not to be deterred, he kept dribbling, kept creating, and ultimately, he provided the final flourish. In the 93rd minute, he threaded a perfect through ball to Dani Olmo, who coolly finished the one-on-one to complete his brace and secure the 3-1 victory.
The game also marked a welcome return for Pedri, who came off the bench in the 59th minute to a massive ovation from the crowd. It was his first appearance in five weeks, and getting him back on the pitch was another huge positive on a day full of drama and emotion.
A Win, But Room for Improvement
Even in victory, Hansi Flick was refreshingly honest. He acknowledged the team wasn't at its best. "We have things to improve," he stated. "I think Flick believes we are not in our best version and I agree." It was a sentiment echoed by Raphinha, who noted, "We know we can do better."
The win was made even more impressive considering the last-minute team news. Frenkie De Jong was a late scratch due to a personal matter, and Ronald Araújo was ruled out with a stomach virus. This forced Flick to shuffle his pack, handing a surprise start to Marc Bernal in midfield alongside Marc Casadó. The defense was also an all-Spanish affair, with Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, and Alejandro Balde lining up at the back.
Despite the shaky performance, the result is what matters most. As Raphinha put it, "We will win games by playing well, but if there are games that we have to play badly and win, that's fine with me too." This was one of those games, a hard-fought three points that showed the team's resilience and character.
Conclusion
In the end, this was a story of overcoming adversity. After a nightmare start, Barcelona dug deep, led by the brilliant return of Raphinha and saved by a moment of magic from Joan García. The goals from Lamine Yamal and a double from Dani Olmo were enough to see off a stubborn Alavés side that made Barça suffer for every minute. It wasn't a vintage performance, but it was a character-building victory that sends a clear message: even when they're not at their best, this team knows how to win.
